Living Wage Scotland is delighted to be supporting the Poverty Alliance’s Scotland Demands Better campaign, which seeks to bring Scotland together in communicating the societal changes we need for every household to thrive and prosper.
The Poverty Alliance established Living Wage Scotland in 2014 as a partner of the Living Wage Foundation. The aim of this was to use the Poverty Alliance’s expertise in Scotland to expand the number of Scottish employers who pay and are recognised for paying their staff the real Living Wage.
Now, as a successful and thriving part of the real Living Wage movement, it is a privilege for us to be able to support and promote Scotland Demands Better. Moreover, this campaign aligns with our principles, especially our aim of promoting the benefits of the real Living Wage to both employees and employers.
With 94% of employers reporting that they have benefited from Living Wage accreditation, including making savings on retention, recruitment and training new staff, as well as increased morale and productivity from their workforce, the goals of Scotland Demands Better will be good for everyone. It is also an excellent opportunity for businesses to speak about their accreditation, something which 86% of accredited employers believe has enhanced their reputation.
The Scotland Demands Better campaign will take the form of ongoing awareness raising, culminating in a march this October. This march is our chance to come together and demand that politicians make the changes needed to tackle poverty. This includes:
- We demand better jobs for everyone who needs one, with fair conditions and wages that pay the bills.
- We demand better investment for life’s essentials – like affordable homes, good public transport, a thriving natural environment, and strong public services.
- We demand better social security so that all of us have a foundation for the future.
Everyone is invited to participate in the march: this includes employers, community and voluntary organisations, campaign groups, youth groups, faith groups, trade unions, trades councils, charities, and individuals. Political leaders will be invited to listen, but not to make speeches as the campaign is non-partisan.
As well as proving the commitment of people across Scotland, this march and campaign aims to provide hope, comfort, and inspiration to everyone who participates. We are not alone – and when we work together, we can make real change. That’s why people across Scotland will be demanding better from all politicians in both parliaments and all councils when we march on 25 October.
The march will begin at the Scottish Parliament and march up the Royal Mile and along George IV Bridge to The Meadows.